Dear Parents and Carers
As you will be aware, there have been changes to restrictions across England from Monday 17th May due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Guidance to schools was issued earlier this week. One of the major changes is to relax the requirements for students wearing masks in secondary schools. We welcome this change, as we realise wearing masks all day can be uncomfortable. Students will no longer have to wear masks in classrooms, but of course may do so if they wish to, or if their health needs suggest they may be more vulnerable to Covid-19.
In line with earlier in the pandemic, we would still ask that students wear masks when moving around the corridors, and when on transport to and from school. The corridors are busy places where social distancing isn’t possible, and masks will provide an extra layer of protection should the event of a positive case arise. Students will be able to remove masks when sat in communal areas, as these are far less crowded. We hope to be able to relax restrictions yet further in the coming weeks, with the removal of the requirement for masks entirely, and a move steadily away from students being taught for almost all of their lessons in their bubble area. This will allow students to be taught in subject specific rooms, and will mean the welcome return of practical science lessons in science labs for all students studying science. I will keep you informed as to our plans, and will only make changes if it is right to do so.
Additional changes to the guidance also relax restrictions around extra-curricular activities. We are beginning to scale up our extra-curricular offer once more, and I do hope that your child gets involved in the opportunities on offer.
I would like to thank the school community for the fantastic way in which they have responded to the challenges placed upon us by the pandemic. Please continue to re-enforce the importance of lateral flow testing, social distancing and hand sanitisation with your children, so that we can continue to keep our school community safe.
Yours sincerely
Mr D Bird
Headteacher
